Panel eyes sites for Ten Commandments and Satan monumentsLITTLE ROCK — A subcommittee is looking at two potential sites for monuments to the Ten Commandments and Satan that have been proposed near the Arkansas Capitol, but is asking supporters of the statues to provide more information about the projects and their installation. The subcommittee of the Capitol Arts and Grounds Commission on Wednesday set meetings to review details about the proposed monuments. The panel set a Nov. 16 meeting to revie...

Arkansas Zombie Challenge benefits foster childrenCASA of the 5th Judicial District will host its fourth 5k obstacle course at 9 a.m. Saturday in Hector. The event will feature live music from Some Guy Named Robb and Mr. DJ, a kid's race and some motivation to run -- zombies. There will be obstacles throughout the course sponsored by Lee's Trash, CSI, C&C Wrecker, and more. Participants ages 14 and up can sign up online at www.arkansaszombiechallenge.com as either a zombie for $30 or as a run...

Candidate Q&A: David RollansEditor's note: The Courier reached out to the candidates vying for Pope County Justice of the Peace, District 9. The candidates were asked the same questions. Why are you seeking this position? I have always had a strong sense of community. I previously served two terms on the Quorum Court and understand that the people of Pope County are best served when one gets involved in county government and works cooperatively for all the people. Volunt...

Candidate Q&A: Bill SparksEditor's note: The Courier reached out to the candidates vying for Pope County Justice of the Peace, District 9. The candidates were asked the same questions. Why are you seeking this position? I am truly honored to be a member of the Quorum Court. While we are elected by specific district all thirteen of us are charged with coming together to make important decisions that can ultimately impact taxpayers throughout Pope County. For me, being e...

THE COURIER / Joshua Mashon Karson Curtis (right)THE COURIER / Joshua Mashon Karson Curtis (right), age 4, sits for Russellville Lions Club members who recently performed the annual vision screenings at Happy Campers Preschool and Clubhouse. The Lions Club performs the screenings at local daycares, headstart facilities and public events for ages 6 months to over 100 years old.

Garland County to allow its employees to carry concealed gunsHOT SPRINGS — The Garland County Quorum Court has voted in favor of allowing county employees with concealed carry permits to bring firearms to work. The Quorum Court repeatedly deflected motions to give the plan more consideration before voting 9-3 in favor of it Monday night, according to the Sentinel-Record (http://bit.ly/2dMF28J). Justices of the Peace Denise Marion, Dave Reagan and Ellen Varhalla voted against the ordinance. Arkansas coun...

Pageant moves from Russellville to Little RockLITTLE ROCK -- The Miss Arkansas Scholarship Pageant recently announced that for the first time in pageant history it will combine pageant weeks with its sister program, the Miss Arkansas Outstanding Teen Pageant. Miss Arkansas Outstanding Teen competition will be held in conjunction with the Miss Arkansas 2017 pageant. Both state pageants will be held June 11-17 in Little Rock at the newly renovated Robinson Auditorium. Previously the Outstan...

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Courier Staff ReportsThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Arkansas Senate hopefuls spar over Trump, Clinton commentsCONWAY— Democratic Senate hopeful Conner Eldridge criticized Republican Sen. John Boozman during a debate Wednesday for supporting Donald Trump, saying the billionaire shouldn't have access to the nation's nuclear codes. Eldridge said Boozman should join other Republicans who have withdrawn their endorsement of Trump following the release of a 2005 tape in which the future Republican presidential nominee brags about kissing and groping women w...

Obituary: Margie GibsonDARDANELLE — Margie Gibson, age 90, of Berryville, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2016, at her home. She was born Dec. 29, 1925, in Rover to the late James Christopher and Lillie Baker Green. She was preceded in death by her parents; two sons, Robert Jackson, Darrell Jackson; and a daughter, Sandra White. Survivors include her children, Lyle Gibson of Berryville, Russell Gibson of Wyoming, Janice Hendley of Berryville; one sister, Camilla Fedri...

Obituary: Floyd BriggsDARDANELLE — Floyd “Turbo” Eugene Briggs, age 56, of Atkins, passed Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016. He was born Jan. 2, 1960, at Torrence, Calif. to the late Lyle Eugene Briggs and Jeannie Saltman. He attended the Russellville First Assembly of God Church and was a member of the Redeemed Rebels Riding for Christ, Iron Indians, Southwinds Chapter of motorcycles and Pope County Jail Ministry. He customized anything and everything that he could. He was p...

Obituary: Paul McGeeDARDANELLE — Paul Elmer McGee, age 66, of Dardanelle, died Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2016, at his home. He was born March 19, 1951, at Contra Costa, Calif., to the late Richard Newman Sr. and Deloris Gene Terry. Survivors include two brothers, Ronald Chouinard, Richard Newman and one sister, Phyllis Spears (Robert) of Danville. Arrangements are by Cornwell Funeral Home and River Valley Cremations in Dardanelle. Online guestbook and condolences at ww...

Obituary: Tammy HendersonATKINS — Tammy Henderson, 51, of Russellville passed away Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2016, at Baptist Health in Little Rock. She was born May 10, 1965, in Dallas, Texas, daughter of the late Troy Gene and Cynthia Prince Hubbard. She enjoyed fishing, camping and watching her grandkids play ball. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rayburn Henderson; brother, Tony Eugene Hubbard; and her father, Troy Hubbard. She is survived by two sons, Jason Long...

Motivational speaker takes the stage at RSDJackie Brewton, a youth motivational speaker and founder and CEO of MotivationN3D, visited with Russellville middle school, junior high and high school students on Wednesday at the Center for the Arts. Brewton, a resident of Atlanta, Ga., and motivational speaker for 15 years, said she realized she wanted to do more while working in corporate America. “My first career was working as a senior HR manager for Procter and Gamble. I also volunteere...

Pope County Election Commission discusses workersThe Pope County Election Commission (PCEC) met last week and discussed the number of people it will need to work the Nov. 8 general election and the procedure for counting absentee ballots. Portia Short, commission chair, said she would like to see a few things changed in the process of counting absentee ballots. She said the first thing she would like to change is the start time of counting the absentee ballots. Before, counters started at 3 ...

Time to go: North Carolina urges evacuations before flooding GREENVILLE, N.C. — Police officers and firefighters in eastern North Carolina cruised low-lying areas and shouted a simple message from bullhorns: Get out before the floodwaters from Hurricane Matthew arrive. Thousands of people were ordered to evacuate, and officials warned that some communities could be cut off by washed out roads or bridge closures. In the city of Greenville, military trucks rumbled through leafy neighborhoods where orange ...

Police: 4 killed, 3 hurt in head-on crash in Arkansas OzarksBERRYVILLE, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas State Police say four people were killed and three others injured in a head-on collision in northern Arkansas. State police say the wreck happened Sunday afternoon on U.S. 62 east of Berryville in Carroll County. According to a preliminary report, a vehicle driven by 36-year-old Benita Langinbelik crossed the center line and crashed into a vehicle driven by 70-year-old Jack Rogers. State police say both drivers...

2 killed, Arkansas trooper hurt in Hot Springs car crashHOT SPRINGS — Authorities say two people were killed and an Arkansas State Police trooper was seriously injured in a car crash in Hot Springs. Hot Springs Police say the collision happened Monday night on Airport Road. Police say a car carrying two people collided with a state trooper's vehicle, killing the two people in the car. The trooper, whose name hasn't been released yet, was taken to a Hot Springs hospital. Authorities have not yet rel...

Candidate Q&A: Bill EatonEditor's note: The Courier reached out to the candidates vying for Russellville Alderman, Ward 2 Pos 1. The candidates were asked the same questions. Why are you seeking this position? For the past nine plus years, I have been involved as an alderman and as mayor in the positive things planned and currently occurring in Russellville. I want to move these present projects forward to completion: Aquatic Center, Convention Center, Weir Road area ...